Submitted to Love

Chapter 7

--Adrian—

Waking up next morning I made my way outside Callum’s room. It was still early morning and not many wolves have left the warmth of their mates as on Sundays we keep no practice and let the wolves focus on family time.

I leaned across the railing on the balcony and spotted Isabella sitting quietly beside the lake, near the forest. The urge to talk to her and to know what is going on inside her head was overwhelming. My wolf urged me to reach out to her and before I could catch up with my mind by body started walking in her direction.

But I stopped myself midway to much dismay of my wolf. I was irritated at myself and even more so on that girl. I have a plan. I plan to make my kingdom stronger and wealthier.

My mother always warned me, there is a force out there, a force to reckon with…a dark force that plans to devour us all. Often, I have wondered the nature of that force, but I have never received a very explicit explanation.

My eyes searched for her while my mind wandered away. She is not by the lake. Perhaps she has gone for walk. I craned to get a better look; I did not want her wandering off to the woods alone. She is human and the woods are host to various supernatural creatures, the most concerning would perhaps be the rouges. I decided to spend some more time alone at the balcony.

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Sauntering inside the breakfast hall I unknowingly searched for Isabella. I spotted her sitting in one shadowed corner fumbling with some white cloth. Choosing to give her some space I went to get some food. Something was smelling off once I walked past her. I smelled blood. I whipped around and my eyes zeroed in on Isabella trying to bandage a deep wound on her arm while sniffing lightly.

I grabbed her arm to get a better look and she winced in pain and surprise. It was a nasty wound and not something you would inflict while tripping or slipping. This is animal inflicted wound, and this would not heal on its own.

“How did this happen?” I asked her, furious at who or whatever has done this.

“I d..don’t know…I was w..walking by the side of the wood a..and tried to p..pick some flowers…t.there is a beautiful spot ..I could see from the edge…Some w..wolf or …big dog ..I..I don’t know …out of nowhere tried to grab me inside the wood. I tried s..screaming …b..but  it put its hand…n..no paw…on my mouth …” Isabella muttered in a tear strained voice. Even in pain she was eager to pull her hand away from me and that infuriated me further. Her description matches a werewolf, a rouge perhaps. But why is it then that the guards have not smelled those?

“How did you escape?” It would be impossible for humans to escape a werewolf all by themselves.

“I carry pepper spray always with me since a wolf attacked me in village once. The wolf howled and left me after I sprayed it on its eyes.” Isabella paused and told me in an irked voice. “Can you please let go of my hand? It is hurting.”

“You are going to the hospital. This wound needs medical attention.”

“I am fine. Just let me go.” Isabella tried to jerk away her hand as my grip has slackened. Clearly it hurts her as she winced loudly. This obstinacy would be adorable in some other situation, but right now she is hurt deeply, could have been killed, there is rouge on the loose, she has been attacked before , possibly by a werewolf and she is simply refusing to let me help her while my wolf in howling in my head at her pain and urging me to tend to her at once.

I sigh, looked straight in her eyes and told her “I asked you nicely, Isabella”. I scooped her up in my arms. My mother was right, she is lighter than a feather. Human weight or werewolf female weight in human form would not be much for me but Isabella is too light.

“Let me go.” Isabella kept pounding on my chest with her good hand. “What is wrong with you? I can take care of myself. I do not need you to look after me. Stop pretending like you care. One moment you are aloof, next moment you are beating up someone. STOP CARRYING ME!!!!”  She continued shouting herself hoarse while I chose to not respond nor let her move an inch.

“Alpha right? Isn’t that what you call Kings here? Well Alpha I may not have any family but I am more than capable to look after myself. I have grown taking care of myself. However, I do despise a fake show of affection. This stunt would upset a lot of people…. people such as Clara who accused me of sleeping with you. So, maybe you should put me down and let me handle the wound myself. There is no need to pretend to care for me when you don’t give a damn about peasants like me and don’t want me in the castle”

“How did you know about that?” I asked in a deathly quiet tone.

I looked at her scowling face with fury boiling inside me. Clearly, she has heard parts of conversation with my mother. How do I tell her that the last thing I want is her to be away from me, especially after today?

“I…um…was looking for the kitchen when I woke up from a nightmare ….I…umm… accidentally heard you speaking to your mother. Well I am not a stranger to being un wanted…..I left the place because I had heard enough” She looked away from my face while my grip tightened on her frame.

Reaching the pack hospital, I saw Dr. Nora hurrying towards our direction. Dr. Nora is a plump middle-aged woman who looks like someone who bakes cookies for her little grand kids. I am sure she does, but she is one of the most efficient werewolf doctors and fiercely protective of this pack.

“Dr.Nora, Isabella has been attacked , possibly by a we…well something.” “I am guessing it is a werewolf, possibly a rouge. This cut is deep as well as infected from the looks of it” I mind linked the doctor.

“Isabella sweetie, can you please show me your arm?” She asked with an assuring smile. “Put her down on the bed Alpha. You may return to your commitments. She will be fine”

“I will stay with her” Clearly Dr. Nora understood the finality in my tone and did not push any further.